When the Church Said No, but God says Yes
The word of God in Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” This verse is something that I live out on a daily basis because although I live in the natural, I serve a God of the supernatural. Just as 1 Corinthians 1:27 reads, “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise,” I can truly attest to my earthly choices being deemed as risky, dangerous, and brave.
As I have always said, the bravest guy in the Bible was Jonah because he disobeyed God; but just like the three men in the fiery furnace; the one by the burning bush; the one walking on water; and in the lion’s den, when you are in God’s will you are in the safest place to be; and when people tell me to be careful, I don’t want to hear that because my God takes care of me.
Living carefully and cautiously was not the life of Daniel in the lion’s den. Just because I live in the world, I am not of the world. I am convinced that I have been in “the lion’s den” but not one hair on my head could be touched because of the protective hand of God upon my life.
One such instance was when I traveled between mainland St Vincent and the Southern Grenadines by boat. As Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man makes his plans but God directs his steps,” my desire had been to visit Canouan island however due to the exorbitantly high price that simply wasn’t an option. Whilst I remained on the boat looking longingly at the port of Canouan an older man started talking to me. Having lived the Luke 10 life for the past 9 years it was completely normal for me to engage with strangers, travel with strangers and even live with strangers.
The Matthew 7:7 principle I always practice is, “ask and it shall be given,” therefore in our conversation I made reference to the fact that I was looking for a place to rent. The guy eventually offered his home to which he attached a price. I flat out refused to pay even though he’d reduced the amount by almost half. I told him categorically that I was a missionary and was not in a financial position to afford rent. He readily agreed not to charge and upon arriving to Union Island we made our way to his home.
Prior to our departure from the port however, I bumped into not one, not two, but four “friends,” I also spent a significant amount of time engaging with three police officers, telling them who I was and the purpose of my ministry. I was uncomfortable about staying with this man because I believed that he was attracted to me. In my spirit I did not feel a lack of danger or peace but I was not completely agreeable to the set up. I surrendered the situation over to God and believe that He really took full control, first by me bumping into so many “friends;” my interaction with the police; and the fact that there were significant eye witnesses that could place us together.
When we finally arrived at his home, the property was a sight to behold. As explained, it was a two bedroom property, however what I had not been informed when I was encouraged to pay rent, was that one of the beds was lacking a mattress, and had only springs; the kitchen sink had no pipe; the bathroom had no running water; and the ceiling was incomplete. Now because he did not care to know about my background, he had no idea that I had stayed in such conditions before in places like India and the Philippines. But the fact that he had the audacity to ask me to pay him rent was a joke. Fortunately, he offered me his room, unfortunately I got zero sleep that night due to the noise of the fan next door. I, of course prayed and asked God to move me the next day. It was one of my nonnegotiable requests, even more so when the radio was turned on loud at 6.30 in the morning.
I thank God, that He was on the case. Just as we sing the song way maker, it is a resoundingly true statement in my life. That morning I got a call from one of the local pastors, the night before he had asked his church congregation if I could stay at the church house and there had been indecision. When he asked me how I slept, I didn’t hold back but said terrible. The pastor said that he would call someone else who he believed would be more agreeable to having me stay at the church, and he’d let me know by 10am. Not even an hour later I got my answered prayer, and by 8.30am I was packing to move out.
As I prepared my things to leave the man asked me if I had a man friend. I lied and said yes, I had a man in St Vincent mainland. This was the dilemma I often faced, when a guy asked about my relationship status, I felt that I had no option but to lie. Now, remember he knew nothing about me. Notwithstanding the fact that I look very young, and he was most definitely old enough to be my father. Last of all I can’t forget to mention his remark the night before and the next morning about how having me there he felt like a man, and that he was going to make me the lady of the house. Now, the fact that he had what looked to be old and expired condoms on his dressing table it doesn’t take much work of the imagination for me to work out what he had in mind. But, God.
When the pastor finally arrived it was a truly amazing feeling, I wanted to hug him for going against the church congregation and rescuing me. At that moment I felt like I was leaving the lion’s den. I know that God is never late, that He is faithful and a prayer answering father but I am human first and Christian second so there are times I doubt His ability to move mountains. Well, God moved in a mighty way, because although the church women said, “No,” God said yes, and so for the next 12 days I resided in a prime location, in a 2 bedroom house, with kitchen, bathroom, living room and dining area absent of noise and unwanted male company and attention.
